The NFL has established itself on Christmas Day, creating a legacy that competes with the NBA. However, when it comes to scheduling, Thanksgiving remains the day where the NFL doesn’t take a backseat.
Thanksgiving is, without a doubt, the most notable day in the NFL regular season. Fans eagerly await the schedule release—mark your calendars for 8 PM on Wednesday to catch the 2025 lineup. This holiday is all about watching football, especially featuring the traditional teams: the Detroit Lions and the Dallas Cowboys. These matchups often serve as the highlights of the day.
It’s a big Thanksgiving indeed.
It’s a straightforward yet enjoyable setup. Historically, these two teams have met 20 times on this day, including last year’s game, which saw a coaching shakeup born out of a late-game mistake. His replacement, Ben Johnson, is now on the other side as the Lions’ offensive coordinator. In a captivating twist, this year’s schedule could see his first matchup with the Lions under coach Dan Campbell. What a fitting way to kick off Thanksgiving!
Drawing from the same concept, Dallas and Washington have shared this Thanksgiving spotlight 11 times. But there’s an extra layer of excitement this year; Washington’s young quarterback, Jayden Daniels, is making waves and could turn this game into a must-watch. As Dallas gears up for the season opener, the Eagles may be sidelined for Thanksgiving, leaving room for a thrilling division battle.
Then there’s Aaron Rodgers, who is expected to make what might be a dramatic return to face his former team for the first time. This game has the potential for intense playoff implications, spotlighting two of the NFL’s premier franchises, even if Rodgers isn’t making an appearance in Pittsburgh. You can bet the commentary will revolve around him all day.
Thinking ahead, the Chiefs are on track to become a mainstay for Christmas. But, I wonder, why not have them on Thanksgiving? After all, who can resist watching Patrick Mahomes? It’s shaping up to be an intriguing matchup against the Chargers, who pose a real threat to Kansas City’s ongoing nine-game winning streak. The stakes are high, and everything is on the table. This matchup is currently rumored to unfold in Brazil during the first week.
Lastly, it feels like a smooth transition from Dallas’s NFC East rivalry. The Super Bowl-winning Eagles are set to command a lot of primetime coverage this year. The energy in Lincoln Financial Field promises to be electric—it’ll be a great opportunity for fans to usher in the holiday season, even if it means a few boos from Santa.
